Country mic has a lengthy reputatn for beg tensely homophobic. Gay untry sgers were, sadly, not warmly weled. Still, some stood out loud and proud.
Contents:
- HERE ARE GAY COUNTRY SGERS WHO STOOD OUT LOUD AND PROUD
- FAMEWATCHER SEARCH PRIMARY MENU SKIP TO NTENT HOMECELEBRY HAIR TRANSPLANTCELEBRY PLASTIC SURGERYCELEBRY LEATHER JACKETBODY SHAPER SEARCH FOR: GAY MALE CELEBRI, HOT COUNTRY SGERSGAY MALE COUNTRY SGERS: EIGHT OUT AND PROUD COUNTRY STARS
- 12 COUNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE LGBT ALLI "I’VE KNOWN STRAIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE ALL MY LIFE. I N’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE."BY ADAM SALANDRAFEBARY 2, 2017/8:00 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY ADAM SALANDRAFEBARY 2, 2017 / 8:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"12 COUNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE LGBT ALLI","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-02-02T13:00:14.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-02-02T13:00:14.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ADAM SALANDRA"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE NOT TRADNALLY THOUGHT OF AS LGBT-IENDLY, THE UNTRY MIC SCENE HAS BEE MUCH MORE CLIVE RECENT YEARS—AS SGERS LIKE BILLY GILMAN, TY HERNDON AND BRANDY CLARK HAVE ALL E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CMT HOST CODY ALAN ALSO REVEALED HE WAS GAY JT LAST MONTH, AND WAS MET WH OVERWHELMG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN TO SETTG AN EXAMPLE FOR FANS, ALLI ARE JT AS IMPORTANT AS OUT STARS THEMSELV, AND THERE ARE PLENTY THE MUNY WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE. BELOW, TUNE TO 12 UNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE PROVG THE GENRE IS MORE CLIVE THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATCH NASHVILLE, THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9PM ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GARTH BROOKSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROOKS WAS AN ALLY LONG BEFORE OTHER UNTRY MICIANS EVEN NSIRED AN OPTN: THE UNTRY STAR WON A GLAAD AWARD BACK 1993 FOR HIS SONG "WE SHALL BE FREE," WHICH HE CROONS ABOUT BEG "EE TO LOVE ANYONE WE CHOOSE." HE ALSO PERFORMED ALONGSI GEE MICHAEL AT AN EQUALY ROCKS NCERT BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE GRAMMY WNER CREDED HIS LATE SISTER, BETSY SMTLE, WHO WAS A LBIAN, WH SPIRG HIM TO SPEAK OUT FOR EQUALY. "IF YOU'RE LOVE, YOU'VE GOT TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART," HE TOLD GEE MAGAZE 1999. "AND JT TST THAT GOD WILL EXPLA TO WHY WE SOMETIM FALL LOVE WH PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DIXIE CHICKSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DIXIE CHICKS ARE FAMO FOR STANDG UP FOR THEIR BELIEFS, OM RAISG AWARENS ABOUT DOMTIC ABE TO STANDG OPPOSN TO THE IRAQ WAR. IN 2007, WHEN THE CHICKS WERE ON HIAT, SISTERS MARTIE MAGUIRE AND EY ROBSON RERD “A’T NO SON,” ABOUT A YOUNG MAN REJECTED BY HIS FATHER FOR BEG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE RECENTLY, THE TR TOOK A STAND AGAST NORTH CAROLA'S HB2: WHILE MANY PERFORMERS NCELLED THEIR NORTH CAROLA NCERTS PROTT, THE TR GAVE OUT HATS THAT READ "NO HATE MY STATE" TO DIENCE MEMBERS AND TEAMED UP WH HRC TO TE PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY PARTONGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY HAS BEEN A CHAMPN OF LGBT RIGHTS, NOT TO MENTN A GAY IN, FOR MOST OF HER REER. AND SHE HASN'T BEEN AAID TO LL OUT HER CHRISTIAN MUNY FOR S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY KNOW THAT I PLETELY LOVE AND ACCEPT THEM, AS I DO ALL PEOPLE," PARTON SAID ABOUT HER GAY FANS A 2014 BILLBOARD TERVIEW. "I THK EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE WHO THEY ARE, AND TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE. I DON'T THK WE SHOULD BE JUDGMENTAL. LORD, I'VE GOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS OF MY OWN TO PASS JUDGMENT ON SOMEBODY ELSE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PARTON ALSO FAMOLY ARGUED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, SAYG THAT GAY PEOPLE "SHOULD SUFFER JT LIKE HETEROSEXUALS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEEANN RIMGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEEANN RIM FOUGHT BACK TEARS A 2014 TERVIEW WH GLAAD WHEN SHE PRAISED HER IEND AND FELLOW UNTRY STAR TY HERNDON FOR G OUT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I HOPE THAT WE'RE MOVG FORWARD AND NOT BACK," SHE STATED. "I GET REALLY EMOTNAL ABOUT BEE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE NELSONGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE HAS BEEN A LONGTIME SUPPORTER OF EQUALY, TELLG TEXAS MONTHLY, "I’VE KNOWN STRAIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE ALL MY LIFE. I N’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WHERE I ME OM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2005, HE EVEN NTRIBUTED "COWBOYS ARE FREQUENTLY, SECRETLY FOND OF EACH OTHER" TO THE BROKEBACK MOUNTA SOUNDTRACK. "I HAD ON THE B FOR 20 YEARS, AND PEOPLE WOULD E AND I'D PLAY ," HE EXPLAED. "WHEN BROKEBACK MOUNTA E OUT, JT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD TIME TO KICK OUT OF THE CLOSET."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KACEY MGRAVGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MGRAV IS NOT ONLY A RISG STAR THE UNTRY SCENE, SHE'S THE REIGNG QUEEN OF ALLI, WNG CMA SONG OF THE YEAR 2014 WH "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW," WHICH FEATUR LYRICS LIKE, "MAKE LOTS OF NOISE/ KISS LOTS OF BOYS/ OR KISS LOTS OF GIRLS/ IF THAT'S SOMETHG YOU'RE TO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SHE TWEETED HER SUPPORT AFTER CMT HOST CODY ALAN ME OUT LAST MONTH, SAYG, "YOU'RE PAVG THE WAY FOR OTHERS THE UNTRY MIC MUNY TO BE THEMSELV PROUDLY. COUNTRY MIC WAS BUILT ON REAL SONGS AND REAL PEOPLE TELLG STORI ABOUT REAL LIFE. SO, 'S EXCG TO SEE THE GENRE EMBRACE EXACTLY THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WYNONA JUDDGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WYNONA LAND THE VER STORY LADI HOME JOURNAL BACK 2005, AND CHOSE TO DISCS HER WORK FOR YOUTHAIDS, A NONPROF TG YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT HIV. THAT SAME YEAR, SHE TOLD NSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS WHO ATTACKED HER FOR PERFORMG ON A GAY CISE THAT SHE WOULD NEVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I’VE HAD THE BIGGT GAY FOLLOWG THE HISTORY OF UNTRY 1980-SOMETHG. I THK ’S JT THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT LOVE, THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT GOD, THE BIGGER OF A TARGET YOU ARE. SO, BRG ON.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CARRIE UNRWOODGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE AMERIN IDOL WNER GOT SOME BACKLASH FOR SUPPORTG MARRIAGE EQUALY BEFORE HER PEERS. "I FELY THK WE SHOULD ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO LOVE, AND LOVE PUBLICLY, THE PEOPLE THAT WE WANT TO LOVE," SHE TOLD THE INPENNT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED HOW SHE BALANCED HER RELIG BELIEFS WH HER PRO-LGBT VIEWS, UNRWOOD PROUDLY CLARED THAT HER CHURCH IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ABOVE ALL, GOD WANTED TO LOVE OTHERS," SHE SAID. "IT'S NOT ABOUT SETTG L, OR [SAYG], 'EVERYONE HAS TO BE LIKE ME.' NO, WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHAT MAK SPECIAL. WE HAVE TO LOVE EACH OTHER AND GET ON WH EACH OTHER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOBY KEHGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISG ALLI ON THIS LIST IS NSERVATIVE TOBY KEH. DPE BEG ONE OF FEW ACTS WILLG TO PERFORM AT DONALD TMP'S GURATN, THE “RED SOLO CUP” SGER HAS NO PROBLEM WH MARRIAGE EQUALY OR THE REPEAL OF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THAT WHOLE GAY ISSUE THG, THAT’S NEVER BOTHERED ME,” HE TOLD CMT 2011. “WE’RE GOG TO STOP SOMEBODY OM GETTG A MARRIAGE LICENSE BEE THEY’RE GAY? YOU WON’T STOP THEM OM LIVG TOGETHER, SO WHAT HAVE YOU ACPLISHED?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRICIZG POLICIANS FOR SPENDG TIME AND MONEY ON BLOCK EQUALY STEAD OF WORKG ON REAL ISSU, HE ADD, "I NEVER SAW THE REASONG BEHD GETTG PEOPLE’S PERSONAL LIV."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}US NEHER, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REBA MCENTIREGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I’VE ALWAYS HELD THE BELIEF THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT PASS JUDGMENT ON HOW OTHERS WANT TO LIVE THEIR LIV," REBA TOLD NEWNOWNEXT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE UNTRY LEGEND ALSO EXPRSED HER EMPATHY FOR OUT UNTRY SGERS, TELLG PRISOURCE, "IT’S REALLY, REALLY SAD WHAT THEY’RE LIVG WH BEFORE THEY CI TO E OUT... THE PRSURE SOCIETY PUTS UPON THEM, THEIR FAI, AND WHAT THEY PUT UPON THEM, WHETHER THEY ACCEPT OR THEY DON’T.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARTA MCBRIGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2009, MCBRI WAS ASKED IF SHE FEARED BACKLASH OM HER "NSERVATIVE, STRAIGHT, MIDDLE AMERIN" FANS OVER HER SUPPORT OF GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HONTLY, I JT HAVE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ME. WHAT I BELIEVE... THAT I FEEL LIKE TOLERANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT," SHE TOLD OUT. "I HAVE THREE DGHTERS AND THAT'S WHAT I TEACH THEM. I THK WE SHOULD ALL BE TOLERANT OF EACH OTHER AND EMBRACE EACH OTHER'S STRENGTHS AND DIFFERENC AND UNIQUENS AND BETY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RASL FLATTSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN RASL FLATTS RELEASED "LOVE WHO YOU LOVE" BACK 2009, THEY WERE SPEAKG DIRECTLY TO THE LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOME GAY PEOPLE THAT WORK WH , AND WE HAVE A LOT OF IENDS THAT ARE GAY, TOO, AND I KNOW THAT THIS SONG HAS SPIRED THEM,” LEAD SGER GARY LEVOX TOLD CMT. “I KNOW THAT G OUT WAS TOUGH ON THEIR PARENTS, AND ON THEM, AND THE WHOLE ENTIRE FAY. FOR A LONG TIME, SOME OF THEM DIDN’T GET TO HEAR ‘I LOVE YOU’ OM THEIR DADS OR BE ACCEPTED THAT WAY... IT’S HELPED A LOT OF OUR IENDS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
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HERE ARE GAY COUNTRY SGERS WHO STOOD OUT LOUD AND PROUD
In the past few years, several untry sgers have taken a stand support of LGBTQ+ people their mic, pavg the way for gay sgers to e out." emprop="scriptn * gay country singers 2018 *
Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty you're a gay teenager who grows up the South, 's jt as hard to avoid untry mic as is easy to realize that untry mic isn't ma for you. And her g out has opened the door for other LGBTQ+ artists to speak out, spired tablished untry star Ty Herndon to e out 2014, and turn, Herndon spired up and g star Brandon Stansell to beg his reer already open about beg gay.
But 's not jt gay untry sgers who are startg to clu queer upl their vios and sg lyrics that take a clear pro-LGBTQ+ stance — straight artists are dog , Rick Diamond/Getty 2014 Kacey Mgrav won the Country Mic Associatns' (CMA) Song Of The Year award for her song "Follow Your Arrow, " which she wrote along wh two out untry songwrers, Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
" she said her acceptance speech, referrg part to pro-gay lyrics like: kiss lots of boys, or kiss lots of girls, if that's somethg you're to and love who you love, 'e you jt get so many trips 'round the sun.
FAMEWATCHER SEARCH PRIMARY MENU SKIP TO NTENT HOMECELEBRY HAIR TRANSPLANTCELEBRY PLASTIC SURGERYCELEBRY LEATHER JACKETBODY SHAPER SEARCH FOR: GAY MALE CELEBRI, HOT COUNTRY SGERSGAY MALE COUNTRY SGERS: EIGHT OUT AND PROUD COUNTRY STARS
Gay untry sgers are takg Nashville by storm, rvg out a space for LGBT love the rich history of the genre. * gay country singers 2018 *
Brothers Osborne clud a gay uple their mic vio for "Stay A Ltle Longer" (and they even get to kiss like all the other upl). And many straight untry sgers recently performed at GLAAD and Ty Herndon’s Concert for Love and Acceptance, a pro-LGBTQ+ untry mic ncert that follows the CMT Mic, Huckabee's otg, the handful of untry sgers who have e out, and the crease pro-gay lyrics may make feel like untry mic has ma a 180-gree turn.
And change is already the makg-- 2014, for example, Kacey Mgrav beme the first gay untry sger to take home the CMA Song of the Year award, for "Follow Your Arrow, " wrten by two LGBT songwrers. For stance, Patrick Haggerty, whose band lled Lavenr Country, released what is wily believed to be the first explicly gay rerd 1973, ultimately leadg the band to fa to obscury. From gay untry stars sgg os about lovg who you want to untry artists enuragg listeners not to be aaid to embrace their genr inty, the genre – both s artists and s fans – has fally reached a place where acceptance is the new standard.
12 COUNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE LGBT ALLI "I’VE KNOWN STRAIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE ALL MY LIFE. I N’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE."BY ADAM SALANDRAFEBARY 2, 2017/8:00 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY ADAM SALANDRAFEBARY 2, 2017 / 8:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"12 COUNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE LGBT ALLI","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-02-02T13:00:14.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-02-02T13:00:14.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ADAM SALANDRA"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE NOT TRADNALLY THOUGHT OF AS LGBT-IENDLY, THE UNTRY MIC SCENE HAS BEE MUCH MORE CLIVE RECENT YEARS—AS SGERS LIKE BILLY GILMAN, TY HERNDON AND BRANDY CLARK HAVE ALL E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CMT HOST CODY ALAN ALSO REVEALED HE WAS GAY JT LAST MONTH, AND WAS MET WH OVERWHELMG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN TO SETTG AN EXAMPLE FOR FANS, ALLI ARE JT AS IMPORTANT AS OUT STARS THEMSELV, AND THERE ARE PLENTY THE MUNY WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE. BELOW, TUNE TO 12 UNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE PROVG THE GENRE IS MORE CLIVE THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATCH NASHVILLE, THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9PM ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GARTH BROOKSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROOKS WAS AN ALLY LONG BEFORE OTHER UNTRY MICIANS EVEN NSIRED AN OPTN: THE UNTRY STAR WON A GLAAD AWARD BACK 1993 FOR HIS SONG "WE SHALL BE FREE," WHICH HE CROONS ABOUT BEG "EE TO LOVE ANYONE WE CHOOSE." HE ALSO PERFORMED ALONGSI GEE MICHAEL AT AN EQUALY ROCKS NCERT BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE GRAMMY WNER CREDED HIS LATE SISTER, BETSY SMTLE, WHO WAS A LBIAN, WH SPIRG HIM TO SPEAK OUT FOR EQUALY. "IF YOU'RE LOVE, YOU'VE GOT TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART," HE TOLD GEE MAGAZE 1999. "AND JT TST THAT GOD WILL EXPLA TO WHY WE SOMETIM FALL LOVE WH PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DIXIE CHICKSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DIXIE CHICKS ARE FAMO FOR STANDG UP FOR THEIR BELIEFS, OM RAISG AWARENS ABOUT DOMTIC ABE TO STANDG OPPOSN TO THE IRAQ WAR. IN 2007, WHEN THE CHICKS WERE ON HIAT, SISTERS MARTIE MAGUIRE AND EY ROBSON RERD “A’T NO SON,” ABOUT A YOUNG MAN REJECTED BY HIS FATHER FOR BEG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE RECENTLY, THE TR TOOK A STAND AGAST NORTH CAROLA'S HB2: WHILE MANY PERFORMERS NCELLED THEIR NORTH CAROLA NCERTS PROTT, THE TR GAVE OUT HATS THAT READ "NO HATE MY STATE" TO DIENCE MEMBERS AND TEAMED UP WH HRC TO TE PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY PARTONGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY HAS BEEN A CHAMPN OF LGBT RIGHTS, NOT TO MENTN A GAY IN, FOR MOST OF HER REER. AND SHE HASN'T BEEN AAID TO LL OUT HER CHRISTIAN MUNY FOR S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY KNOW THAT I PLETELY LOVE AND ACCEPT THEM, AS I DO ALL PEOPLE," PARTON SAID ABOUT HER GAY FANS A 2014 BILLBOARD TERVIEW. "I THK EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE WHO THEY ARE, AND TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE. I DON'T THK WE SHOULD BE JUDGMENTAL. LORD, I'VE GOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS OF MY OWN TO PASS JUDGMENT ON SOMEBODY ELSE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PARTON ALSO FAMOLY ARGUED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, SAYG THAT GAY PEOPLE "SHOULD SUFFER JT LIKE HETEROSEXUALS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEEANN RIMGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEEANN RIM FOUGHT BACK TEARS A 2014 TERVIEW WH GLAAD WHEN SHE PRAISED HER IEND AND FELLOW UNTRY STAR TY HERNDON FOR G OUT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I HOPE THAT WE'RE MOVG FORWARD AND NOT BACK," SHE STATED. "I GET REALLY EMOTNAL ABOUT BEE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE NELSONGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE HAS BEEN A LONGTIME SUPPORTER OF EQUALY, TELLG TEXAS MONTHLY, "I’VE KNOWN STRAIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE ALL MY LIFE. I N’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WHERE I ME OM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2005, HE EVEN NTRIBUTED "COWBOYS ARE FREQUENTLY, SECRETLY FOND OF EACH OTHER" TO THE BROKEBACK MOUNTA SOUNDTRACK. "I HAD ON THE B FOR 20 YEARS, AND PEOPLE WOULD E AND I'D PLAY ," HE EXPLAED. "WHEN BROKEBACK MOUNTA E OUT, JT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD TIME TO KICK OUT OF THE CLOSET."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KACEY MGRAVGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MGRAV IS NOT ONLY A RISG STAR THE UNTRY SCENE, SHE'S THE REIGNG QUEEN OF ALLI, WNG CMA SONG OF THE YEAR 2014 WH "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW," WHICH FEATUR LYRICS LIKE, "MAKE LOTS OF NOISE/ KISS LOTS OF BOYS/ OR KISS LOTS OF GIRLS/ IF THAT'S SOMETHG YOU'RE TO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SHE TWEETED HER SUPPORT AFTER CMT HOST CODY ALAN ME OUT LAST MONTH, SAYG, "YOU'RE PAVG THE WAY FOR OTHERS THE UNTRY MIC MUNY TO BE THEMSELV PROUDLY. COUNTRY MIC WAS BUILT ON REAL SONGS AND REAL PEOPLE TELLG STORI ABOUT REAL LIFE. SO, 'S EXCG TO SEE THE GENRE EMBRACE EXACTLY THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WYNONA JUDDGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WYNONA LAND THE VER STORY LADI HOME JOURNAL BACK 2005, AND CHOSE TO DISCS HER WORK FOR YOUTHAIDS, A NONPROF TG YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT HIV. THAT SAME YEAR, SHE TOLD NSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS WHO ATTACKED HER FOR PERFORMG ON A GAY CISE THAT SHE WOULD NEVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I’VE HAD THE BIGGT GAY FOLLOWG THE HISTORY OF UNTRY 1980-SOMETHG. I THK ’S JT THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT LOVE, THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT GOD, THE BIGGER OF A TARGET YOU ARE. SO, BRG ON.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CARRIE UNRWOODGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE AMERIN IDOL WNER GOT SOME BACKLASH FOR SUPPORTG MARRIAGE EQUALY BEFORE HER PEERS. "I FELY THK WE SHOULD ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO LOVE, AND LOVE PUBLICLY, THE PEOPLE THAT WE WANT TO LOVE," SHE TOLD THE INPENNT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED HOW SHE BALANCED HER RELIG BELIEFS WH HER PRO-LGBT VIEWS, UNRWOOD PROUDLY CLARED THAT HER CHURCH IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ABOVE ALL, GOD WANTED TO LOVE OTHERS," SHE SAID. "IT'S NOT ABOUT SETTG L, OR [SAYG], 'EVERYONE HAS TO BE LIKE ME.' NO, WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHAT MAK SPECIAL. WE HAVE TO LOVE EACH OTHER AND GET ON WH EACH OTHER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOBY KEHGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISG ALLI ON THIS LIST IS NSERVATIVE TOBY KEH. DPE BEG ONE OF FEW ACTS WILLG TO PERFORM AT DONALD TMP'S GURATN, THE “RED SOLO CUP” SGER HAS NO PROBLEM WH MARRIAGE EQUALY OR THE REPEAL OF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THAT WHOLE GAY ISSUE THG, THAT’S NEVER BOTHERED ME,” HE TOLD CMT 2011. “WE’RE GOG TO STOP SOMEBODY OM GETTG A MARRIAGE LICENSE BEE THEY’RE GAY? YOU WON’T STOP THEM OM LIVG TOGETHER, SO WHAT HAVE YOU ACPLISHED?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRICIZG POLICIANS FOR SPENDG TIME AND MONEY ON BLOCK EQUALY STEAD OF WORKG ON REAL ISSU, HE ADD, "I NEVER SAW THE REASONG BEHD GETTG PEOPLE’S PERSONAL LIV."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}US NEHER, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REBA MCENTIREGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I’VE ALWAYS HELD THE BELIEF THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT PASS JUDGMENT ON HOW OTHERS WANT TO LIVE THEIR LIV," REBA TOLD NEWNOWNEXT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE UNTRY LEGEND ALSO EXPRSED HER EMPATHY FOR OUT UNTRY SGERS, TELLG PRISOURCE, "IT’S REALLY, REALLY SAD WHAT THEY’RE LIVG WH BEFORE THEY CI TO E OUT... THE PRSURE SOCIETY PUTS UPON THEM, THEIR FAI, AND WHAT THEY PUT UPON THEM, WHETHER THEY ACCEPT OR THEY DON’T.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARTA MCBRIGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2009, MCBRI WAS ASKED IF SHE FEARED BACKLASH OM HER "NSERVATIVE, STRAIGHT, MIDDLE AMERIN" FANS OVER HER SUPPORT OF GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HONTLY, I JT HAVE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ME. WHAT I BELIEVE... THAT I FEEL LIKE TOLERANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT," SHE TOLD OUT. "I HAVE THREE DGHTERS AND THAT'S WHAT I TEACH THEM. I THK WE SHOULD ALL BE TOLERANT OF EACH OTHER AND EMBRACE EACH OTHER'S STRENGTHS AND DIFFERENC AND UNIQUENS AND BETY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RASL FLATTSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN RASL FLATTS RELEASED "LOVE WHO YOU LOVE" BACK 2009, THEY WERE SPEAKG DIRECTLY TO THE LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOME GAY PEOPLE THAT WORK WH , AND WE HAVE A LOT OF IENDS THAT ARE GAY, TOO, AND I KNOW THAT THIS SONG HAS SPIRED THEM,” LEAD SGER GARY LEVOX TOLD CMT. “I KNOW THAT G OUT WAS TOUGH ON THEIR PARENTS, AND ON THEM, AND THE WHOLE ENTIRE FAY. FOR A LONG TIME, SOME OF THEM DIDN’T GET TO HEAR ‘I LOVE YOU’ OM THEIR DADS OR BE ACCEPTED THAT WAY... IT’S HELPED A LOT OF OUR IENDS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
* gay country singers 2018 *
So, today, let’s take a look at some of the most celebrated gay untry sgers – om Grammy Award-wng stars Brandi Carlile and Lil Nas X to T.
Brandi Carlile spent most of her childhood beg told that “to be gay was a one-way ticket to hell. ” She even had never met another gay person – until she watched Ellen DeGener’ historic 1997 “I’m gay” episo, which she rerd on a VHS tape so she uld watch repeatedly.
However, thgs changed at the height of his reer when he me out as gay durg the last day of Pri Month 2019 through a seri of tweets and his song lled “c7osure. In 2014, the Nashville artist revealed to PEOPLE a part of himself he has kept secret for his entire reer: beg a “happy gay man.
9 COUNTRY MIC ARTISTS WHO HAVE COME OUT AS GAY
Gay male untry sgers list: Hot, out and proud gay men untry mic now and then: TJ Osborne, Steve Grant, Drake Jensen, Mark Weigle, Josey Greenwell * gay country singers 2018 *
Herndon said that Anthony Robbs’ semar 2009 sparked the urage for him to e out, thkg how his story might help terrified gay youth.
However, Oladokun was silently battlg si as she tried to rencile her fah wh the fact that she was gay, which she had been aware of at a young age. Osborne, one half of the popular untry mic duo Brothers Osborne, had known he was gay sce “before I even unrstood what was. While he went through some hardships, like feelg very isolated his early days Nashville, he found the right moment to publicly e out as gay as the band’s reer picked up – and his announcement went off really well.
In his early 20s, he was discharged om the Peace Corps for beg gay, leadg him to bee a queer rights activist. As an openly gay man workg untry mic, Paisley Fields is boldly beg himself as he ntu to drive forward an often-perceived nservative mic genre.
‘I’M HERE, I’M QUEER AND I’M COUNTRY’: THE TOP 5 GAY COUNTRY SONGS
"I’ve known straight and gay people all my life. I n’t tell the difference." * gay country singers 2018 *
The untry artist first me out 2018 after he was spired by the film Boy Erased, which tells the story of a teenage gay. In 2020, Tommy Atks ma history on untry rad wh the first-ever h to feature openly gay lyrics Europe and the Uned Kgdom.
Atks’ first EP, Kiss Me, Cowboy, on the other hand, wonrfully documented young love ma plited by the ravag of homophobia. So, she released the album Wary + Strange 2021 – a raw, crystal-clear statement of gay pri and Black power. It is Lily Rose’s way of changg the hearts and mds of many untry mic listeners – amidst s homophobic reputatn.
LIVG GAY NASHVILLE: COUNTRY MIC INSIRS SHARE STORI OF INCLN, BLACKMAIL, HUCKABEE AND HATERS
Gay Country Songs: Bt LGBTQ untry/Amerina anthems om Joy Oladokun, Lavenr Country and Ty Herndon and more. * gay country singers 2018 *
Even so, Bell adms she didn’t want to reveal she was gay her songs when she first released her album. ’s son, untry sger Sam Williams, released a mic vio for his song “Tilted Crown, ” where he me out as gay. Nearly two s later, Payne released the album Blue Ey, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pher, & Me, where he reunts his journey to live as an out gay man.
FOR GAY UNTRY SGERS, WAS TIME TO FACE THE MIC
In the wake of a Mike Huckabee ntroversy, gay untry-mic sirs talk about progrs Nashville, and how far there is to go. * gay country singers 2018 *
So, there you go, the gay untry sgers who have led and are currently leadg the way to acceptance!
TJ OSBORNE OF BROTHERS OSBORNE TALKS BEG FIRST OPENLY GAY COUNTRY SGER TO BE SIGNED TO A MAJOR LABEL
Country mic's risg lears are givg voice to new thoughts on such social issu as gun ntrol and gay rights. * gay country singers 2018 *
He me out as gay last Febary makg him, the words of wikipedia, “the first openly gay artist signed to a major untry mic label”. Their stars may not be as bright as untry stars such as Garth Brooks, Keh Urban, and our favore untry sger Blake Shelton but the gay untry sgers are jt as talented.
GAY MALE COUNTRY MIC SGERS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Anyhoo, let’s start our list wh:Steve Grand: Male mol-turned-openly-gay-untry-sger om Lemont, Illois is the breakout star of 2013. Canadian untry sger Drake Jensen married partner Michael Mor 2008 and publicly me out as gay four years later by releasg a mic vio for the sgle, On My Way to Fdg You, which featured his hband. Drake dited the song to a gay Ottawa teen, Jamie Hubley, who mted suici bee of about his sexualy (via Towleroad): “As a child I always knew there was somethg different about me above and beyond the gay thg.
Next our list of gay male untry sgers is Brian Glenn who performed wh big untry stars such as Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Patty Lovels, and his favore of them all Dolly says of his experience sgg wh Dolly (via the Wdy Cy Tim): “It will be one of the greatt moments mic to date for me—backg up Dolly Parton.